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TUCKER, Ga. -- DeKalb County fire officials are reminding the public that the clock isn't the only thing that residents need to check as they approach daylight saving time overnight.

Across the country, fire departments are reiterating the need to change smoke alarm batteries before residents go to sleep.

The department cites the Centers for Disease Control in stating the importance of the change.

"Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury death in the United States and approximately half of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms," the department said in a written statement to 11Alive.

Fire officials added that having a smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a house fire by 50 percent.